Don’t miss your chance to have your say on reform of health and social care

Health Minister Edwin Poots today urged anyone yet to have their say on the future of health and social care to seize the opportunity before the consultation closes.~ Monday, 7 January 2013

Speaking ahead of the 15 January deadline for closing of the consultation on Transforming Your Care: Vision to Action, Mr Poots said it was vital that everyone has their opinion on reform heard.

He said: “We are in the process of the biggest reform in health and social care for a generation, one which recognises that our services should be built around delivering the right care in the right place and at the right time. This means moving care nearer to home and that hospital care is not always the most appropriate option for people. It will affect every single person in Northern Ireland. There is only a matter of days left to have your opinion heard.”

The consultation document 'Transforming Your Care: From Vision to Action’ was launched on 9 October 2012 and summarises the changes proposed to Northern Ireland’s Health and Social Care system . Since the consultation launch, the Health and Social Care Board (HSCB) has held a number of public meetings across Northern Ireland and has sent leaflets to every home encouraging people to get involved. To date, over 530 people have attended a meeting and over 20,000 people have visited the website.

Mr Poots added: “There is still time to have your views heard. Whether you are a patient, a client, a services’ user, a carer, a service provider or a citizen, your opinion is important. So make it heard. Do not miss the chance to have your say on reshaping our Health and Social Care system, on improving on the quality of care and the outcomes for service users. I want everyone to help contribute to that change.

“It is vital that everyone is informed and has the opportunity to make their views known. I would therefore encourage you to speak up and tell us what you think.”